Pushin10

I just got done with my initial consult with Dr. James Kadi in Dallas and he has quoted $12,500 for abdominoplasty and a chest reduction. He quoted a second surgery for my arms at $6,700 so I would imagine just the abdominoplasty would be around 8k by itself. This includes an overnight stay at the hospital, all initial and followup visits, bloodwork, hospital costs and anesthesia. I have a friend who used Tricare and they covered her plastic surgery. I think that she had to go through some hoops but it may be worth you checking into and getting the ball rolling now if that is something that you want.

I re-read your original post and by the way I was under the same impression as you about the skin going back in place but unfortunately in my case it has not and I do cardio 7 days a week and alternate weight lifting upper body and lower body every other day. I am pleased with my rapid weight loss over the last 11 months and would have probably not stuck to the program if the weight was not falling off quickly so if I have to have an additional surgery because of the excess skin that is perfectly ok with me. Don't get me wrong, I look great with my clothes on...lol I just wish that I had known about the flabby skin issue earlier or someone had told me because I would have started saving money much sooner.

Dallas PS gave me a range for the abdominoplasty from 6k to 8k and Shreveport PS was in the range of 8k to 12k. I estimate 6k for each additional item bring me up to about 20k in total but the average that I have seen in the surgery forum for having just you stomach done is around 10k. I will shoot you an email when I get all the final financial numbers over the next 3 weeks.

My therapist told me to set a realistic goal and I started at 332 lbs at 6'1" and decided 230 lbs would be a good goal about 100 lbs but when I hit that, I was not satisfied so set another goal of 200 lbs and may not be happy with that but we will see. I don't pay attention to those charts, and a goal is something you need to have but my therapist also said DO NOT over estimate your goal because you will set yourself up for failure.

I know exactly what you mean, we both started around the same weight and are both at about the same weight now. I do sit-ups, crunches, 3 abdominal weight machines at the gym and yes the gut has gotten smaller but not enough for me so I have scheduled 3 consults with plastic surgeons to see what we can do about getting rid of it.

For your first exercise I found the treadmill the easiest but my knees would kill me so the trainer switched me to the elyptical...I could only do 5 minutes at first but now it ranges from 45 to 60 minutes per day and much easier on your knees. I would wait 2 to 3 months post op before beginning weight lifting. Some people say that weight lifiting may cause you to not lose the weight as fast and get discouraged and I did wait about 6 months before hitting the weights. My current work out schedule is below as an example: Day 1 - Cardio and upper body strength training Day 2 - Cardio Day 3 - Cardio and lower body strength training Day 4 - Cardio Day 5 - same as day 1 Day 6 - Cardio Day 7 - same as day 3

I am at the end of the spectrum (29) but I have 3 consults scheduled for abdominoplasty, lipo in my chest, neck lift and maybe the arms. I feel if you are more than 100lbs over your goal weight you will need PS. Good luck.

Dejavu...I was talking with one of my friends earlier this morning who also has the band and is getting ready for TT. She said that the PS wanted the band fully defilled before the surgery. I was not aware this was part of the process but if they want it defilled there must be a reason

I know there are probably other posts about this topic but wanted to throw it out in the men's room. Has anyone had a tummy tuck or any other kind of PS after they have lost their weight. Just looking for some advice, cost estimates. I guess I did not think that I would have this much flab around my stomach, chest and under my arms. No matter what I do at the gym, it is not helping and am going to resort to PS in about 2 months. Thanks for any info.

Down 107 lbs in 10 months, slacked off over the summer for some reason, eating terrible, etc but back on the band wagon, doing two a days at the gym to lose 25 lbs in two months (one year anniversary) before I go in for some nip/tuck!

I set up an initial consult with two plastic surgeons in Shreveport, LA and one of them gave me a quote in the range of 8K to 12k depending on the amount of work needed. I have no clue what the standard is but had a friend that had hers done in Dallas for 12K.

100 pounds in 6 months but started having a few adult beverages in the last 3 months and weight loss has stopped, gotta get back on the waggon! Exercise is an absolute must.

I enjoy the social impact of being thinner than I have ever been, which has made me much more outgoing. I don't have any problems drinking burbon or wine while everyone else is drinking beer. There are so many different cocktails out there that you should be able to find an alternative drink that you enjoy. Good luck!

Doctor told me one month and at 31 days I strolled into the local bar. I have had no problems with booz however I do not drink beer. I typically drink bourbon on the rocks, wine, perfect manhattans, martinis and a few yeager bombs but not all at one time. But as the other guys said be ready because you will not be able to handle as much alcohol as before. I mean you can still drink it but you will be totally wasted if you drink pre-surgery amounts.

Took my old suits to my tailor and was almost able to wrap them around my entire body. The tailor laughed and said there was nothing that he could do with them. Lately I think that I am going to have to join shopaholics anonymous instead of over-eaters anonymous. I love being able to shop in the normal people section and so does Visa.